Silo Observatory A spoonful of pudding as I trace the islands across the lake

My friend and I drove along National Route 230 and stopped at Silo Observatory. When I got out and walked toward the lake, Lake Toya opened out beyond a log railing. A green island lay to my left, with mountain ridges on the far side of the water. When a view like that appears on an afternoon drive, I want to make the break a little longer.

I carried the Lake Toya Caramel Pudding I’d picked up at the shop to the terrace overlooking the lake. I was wearing an oversized white T-shirt, and I could feel the breeze on my shoulders as I picked up my spoon. I lifted a bite from the little dish, and the caramel sweetness spread across my tongue. “It’s lovely having this view while we eat,” I said to my friend, then slowed down for the next spoonful.

The island that looks largest from here is Nakajima. Its trees seem to rise right out of the water, and I found myself taking in the contrast with the flat lake surface. A few smaller islands line up behind it, too. I looked where my friend was pointing. Until then, I’d been taking in the whole view at once; now I had time to notice each part.

Farther across the lake are Mount Usu and Showa Shinzan. From Silo Observatory, you can take in the lake, its islands, and the volcanoes all at once. I could see farther than from the shore, and even spot places I wanted to drive to next. It’s fun to spot, across the lake, a place I’d picked out on the map as my next destination.

The pudding is a local favorite for its silky texture and rich caramel sweetness. A bite of something sweet, a look at the lake, and then another spoonful—that was just right for me today. My friend and I didn’t rush on to the next stop. We talked about the shapes of the islands and the line of the mountains. Even during a break, I felt like I was getting to know Lake Toya a little better.

After I finished, I looked out over the lake once more from inside the railing. I took in the water stretching all the way to the far shore, then headed back to the car with the next stretch of road still to look forward to. On the drive around Lake Toya, I like to make time for a stop with a view. I want to remember this afternoon’s pudding break with my friend, too.